USA College of Education, Mobile Area Education Foundation and the Mobile County Public School System to Host Education Summit 2006

A Partnership for Success--The Education Summit, co-sponsored by the USA College of Education, Mobile Area Education Foundation and the Mobile County Public School System, symbolizes a solid partnership while celebrating the success in Mobile County Schools with the theme “Together We Can.” From left are Carolyn Akers, executive director of the Mobile Area Education Foundation; Gigi Armbrecht, president of the MAEF board of directors, and regional manager for BellSouth; Dr. Richard L. Hayes, dean of the USA College of Education; Dr. Samantha Ingram, deputy Superintendent of the Mobile County Public School System; and Dr. Harold W. Dodge, superintendent.

Mobile, Ala.— Educators will join Mobile citizens, parents, business and community leaders at the third annual Education Summit to be held from 8 a.m.- noon, Tuesday, April 25 at the University of South Alabama Mitchell Center Arena.

With the theme of “Together We Can,” the one-day Education Summit, co-sponsored by the USA College of Education, Mobile Area Education Foundation and the Mobile County Public School System, symbolizes a solid partnership, with a goal of gathering to announce the progress of education in Mobile County and a commitment to support and monitor future progress.

“The Summit is intended to celebrate our educational progress and provide a community forum for planning a dynamic future for all children in Mobile County,” said dean of the USA College of Education Dr. Richard L. Hayes. “The University of South Alabama is committed to advancing the purposes of the Summit and we are pleased to be able to be an active partner in advancing this work.”

The Education Summit will celebrate Mobile County Public School children and illustrate through data that change is possible and progress is taking place.

This partnership supports the improvement of education in Mobile County by monitoring and reporting success on our shared long-range goals,” said Carolyn Akers, executive director of the Mobile Area Education Foundation. “We will work together to ensure a strategic impact and communicate progress to the community at large. This partnership transforms “Yes We Can” into “Together We Can.”

During this event, Education Summit panelists will discuss the community-driven strategic plan, “PASSport to Excellence,” and citizens of Mobile County will commit, and recommit, to its goals.

About 9,100 students from every high school in Mobile County provided insight for both the Mobile County Public School System and the community to help complete a Student Equity Report, which will be presented during the Education Summit.

The Student Equity Report, which includes an audit of course offerings at all 14 high schools in Mobile County, has been completed by the Mobile Area Education Foundation, and students from the Superintendent and Principal Advisory Councils. Also developed were peer questions about the quality of instruction, school safety, school climate and skip and drop out rates. Information also included recommendations for students, parents and educators to ensure equity.

“Our students are obtaining a quality education and achieving excellence
in academics,” said Dr. Harold W. Dodge, superintendent of the Mobile County Public School System. “The partnership of the Mobile Area Education Foundation
and our schools ensures that our community continues to remain aware,
thoroughly educated and supportive of the success of our students.”

The overall goal of this summit is to build understanding with Mobile County citizens on how “Together We Can” creates great public schools for all children in this community.

“The Education Summit is a time to celebrate progress made in our public schools, to take a much needed victory lap, identify new opportunities for improvement, and publicly focus on the needs of students in Mobile County,” said Akers..